Black Unity Bike Ride to expand across the UK as part of the partnership with London Marathon Events
The Black Unity Bike Ride, known as the UK's carnival on bikes, has announced a new five-year partnership with London Marathon Events (LME).
As part of this collaboration, the event will expand to Manchester in 2025, with a third ride planned for another major UK city in 2026.
Founded as a community-led movement in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd in the US, the Black Unity Bike Ride (BUBR) attracts more than 1,800 participants annually in a ride across London that is suitable for all and celebrates Black joy, empowerment and unity.
LME has lent its event organisation expertise to BUBR since 2021, working in partnership to help inspire thousands of people onto the bike. The new five-year agreement has strengthened this partnership further and helped BUBR plan to create a national movement by expanding into two new cities.
The first phase of expansion will see Manchester host its first-ever Black Unity Bike Ride on Sunday 17 August, which will start and finish in Alexander Park in Moss Side and feature a 12-mile ride through the city. It will mirror the success of London’s inaugural BUBR by creating a vibrant, festival feel with music throughout, ride leaders and a food and vendor village in Alexander Park that will celebrate the Black community. You can sign up to ride on the BUBR website.
The ride in Manchester will come two weeks after the sixth edition of London’s BUBR, on Saturday 2 August. The 17-mile route will again start at Leyton Sports Ground, in east London, and finish in Dulwich Park, in south London. There will be music throughout, pitstops on route and the BUBR Fest will greet riders at the Finish, with more than 13 food vendors offering a range of different cuisines, as well as an entertainment and a recovery zone for participants. Entry to BUBR Fest is free. You can sign up for the London ride on the BUBR website.
Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa, the BUBR founder, said: “What began as a bold idea on London’s streets has grown into a national movement. We are very excited to bring the event to Manchester, it has been an aspiration for a few years so we can’t wait until Sunday 17 August.
“BUBR has valued London Marathon Events’ support since 2021, and we are very proud to extend this relationship with a new five-year commitment. The partnership is a true statement of intent when it comes to community, inclusion and inspiring active lives.”
A third ride will be introduced in an additional city in 2026, with further details to be confirmed in due course.
The BUBR welcomes people of all abilities and ages to take part. In 2024, 47% of participants were first-timers, and more than 70% of those ranked themselves as either beginner or intermediate-level riders. In addition, 48% of participants were inspired to join a cycling club after riding in 2024, with 77% cycling more as a result. At last year’s event, 41% of riders were female.
LME’s partnership with BUBR will include support from across the business including marketing, communications, logistics, finance, data and operational support. LME’s mission is to inspire activity for all with a focus on supporting and providing access to participation for people in underserved communities.
Hamid Vaghefian, LME’s Communities and DEI Director, said: “We are delighted to have formalised our partnership with the Black Unity Bike Ride. We have proudly supported this incredible, empowering event since 2021 and seen the impact it has made in getting more people from the Black community cycling and enjoying activity. It is an exciting prospect to be able to support this movement further and to help bring what really is a carnival on bikes to other cities in the UK, starting with Manchester on Sunday 17 August.”